Indian epic: Mahabharata

Summary:

Among the descendants of King Bharata (after whose name India was called Bharata-varsha, land of the Bharatas) there were two successors to the throne of Hastinapura. Of these, the elder Dhritharashtra, was blind and gave over the reins of government to his younger brother Pandu. But Pandu grew weary of his duties and retired to hunt and enjoy himself. Again Dhritarashtra took control, sided by the advice and example of his wise old uncle, Bhisra. Upon Pandu’s death, his five sons were put under the care of his younger brother, who had one hundred sons of his own.

At first the king’s household was peaceful and free from strife, but gradually it became apparent that Pandu’s sons were far more capable of ruling than any of Dhritarashtra’s heirs. Of the Pandava’s, the name given to the five descendants of Pandu, all were remarkably able, but the oldest, Yudhisthira, was judged most promising, and therefore was chosen heir-apparent to the throne of the old blind king. To this selection of their cousin as the future king, the king’s own sons took violent exception. Accordingly, they persuaded their father to allow the Pandavas to leave the court and live by themselves. From a trap set by the unscrupulous Duryodhana, leader of the king’s sons, the five brothers escaped to the forest with their mother. There they spent some time in rustic exile.

In the meantime, Kind Draupada had announced that the hand of his daughterm Princess Draupadi, would be given to the hero surpassing all others in a feat of strength and skill, and had invited throngs of noblemen to compete for his daughter’s hand. In disguise, the Pandavas set out for King Draupada’s court.

More than two weeks were spent in celebrating the approaching nuptials of the princess before the trial of strength which would reveal the man worthy of taking the lovely princess as his wife. The test was to grasp a mighty bow, fit an arrow, bend the bow, and hit a metal target with the arrow. Contestant after contestant failed in the effort to bend the huge bow. Finally, Arjuna, third of the sons of Pandu, came forward and performed the feat with little effort to win the hand of the princess. But in curious fashion, Princess Draupadi became the wife of all five of the brothers. At this time also, the Pandavas met their cousin on their mother’s side, Khrishna of Dvaraka. This renowned Yadava nobleman they accepted as their special counselor and friend, and to him they owed much of their future success and power.

Hoping to avert dissension after his death, Kind Dhritarashtra decided to divide his kingdom into two parts, giving his hundred sons, the Kauravas, one portion and the Dhritashtra’s sons ruled in Hastinapur and the five sons of Pandu in Indraprastha.

The dying king’s attempt to settle affairs of government amicably resulted in peace and prosperity for a brief period. Then the wily Duryodhana, leader of the Kauravas, set another trap for the Pandavas. On this occasion, he enticed Yudhishthira, the eldest of the brothers, into a game of skill at dice. When the latter lost, the penalty was that the five brothers were to leave the court and spend the next twelve years in the forest. At the end of that time they were to have their kingdom holdings once again if they could pass another year in disguise, without having anyone recognize them.

The twelve year period of rustication was one many romantic and heroic adventures. All five brothers were concerned in stirring events: Arjuna, in particular, traveled far and long, visited the sacred stream of the Ganges, was courted by several noble ladies and finally married subhadra, sister of Krishna.

When the long time of exile was over, the Pandavas and Kauravas engaged in a war of heroes. Great armies were assembled: mountains of supplies were brought together. Just before the fighting began, Krishna, stepped forth and sang the divine song, the Bhagavad-Gita, in which he set forth such theological truths as the indestructibility of the soul, the necessity to defend the faith, and other fundamental precepts of the theology of Brahma. By means of this song, Arjuna was relieved of his doubts concerning the need to make his trial by battle.

The war lasted for some eighteen consecutive days, each day marked by fierce battles, single combats, and bloody attacks. Death and destruction were everywhere – the battlefields were strewn with broken bodies and ruined weapons and chariots. The outcome was annihilation of all the pretensions of the Kauravas and their allies to rule over the kingdom. Finally, Yudhisthira came to the throne amidst great celebrations, the payment of rich tribute and the ceremonial horse sacrifice.

Later the death of their spiritual and military counselor, Khrisna, led the five brothers to realize their weariness with earthly romp and striving. Accordingly, Yudhisthira gave up his duties as their ruler. The five brothers then banded together, clothed themselves as hermits, and set out for Mount Meru, the dwelling place of the gods on high. They were accompanied by their wife Draupadi and a dog that joined them on their journey. As they proceded, one after the other dropped by the way and perished. At last only Yudhisthira declined to enter without his canine companion. Then the truth was revealed – the dog was in reality the god of justice himself; sent to test Yudhisthira’s constancy.

But Yudhisthira was not content in heaven, for he soon realized that his brothers and Draupadi had been required to descend the Lower regions and their expiate their mortal sins. Lonely and disconsolate, he decided to join them until all could be united in heaven. After he had spent some time in that realm of suffering, and torture, the gods took pity on him. Along with his brothers and Draupadi, he was transported back to heaven, where all dwelt in perpetual happiness.